Germany: Merkel in final election countdown

2017年 9月 22日 Friday - 01:47

German bond yields steady ahead of Germany's election this weekend but - amid fears a low turnout could boost far-right prospects - Chancellor Angela Merkel makes a last appeal for all voters to go the polls. As Ciara Lee reports, new economic data is, though, on her side.

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The final countdown for German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Greeting fans ahead of the weekend's election
And she's reason to be pleased.
All major polls point to her conservatives coming in first
A result that would mean no political upheaval in Europe's biggest economy.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) LONDON CAPITAL GROUP SENIOR MARKET ANALYST, JASPER LAWLER, SAYING:
"The choice for Germans, even if they are feeling a little bit disillusioned, is do you vote for what you know, which is Angela Merkel. Obviously it comes with its issues, immigration being probably top of them, but it's brought along probably a higher standard of living through a stronger economy. Or do you vote for the uncertain?
That uncertainty mostly what coalition will be created after the vote
The most likely option, according to polls is a repeat of Merkel's 'grand coalition' with the Social Democrats
A surprise though cannot be ruled out
Far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany could enter parliament for the first time
Potentially gaining more support than the roughly 10 percent polls suggest.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) LONDON CAPITAL GROUP SENIOR MARKET ANALYST, JASPER LAWLER, SAYING:
"Is there the wave of populism simmering in the background, is it expanding so that maybe this election is not the problem, but four five years down the road we think is this going to be a problem next time around?"
Merkel's policies though have helped deliver booming growth and rising consumer confidence.
PMI data out on Friday supporting that.
Germany's hefty factory sector revealing its quickest growth pace in nearly six and a half years in September.
From 59.3 in August, Markit's purchasing managers index rose to 60.6 this month
Soaring far above the 50 level that signifies growth.